Specialty Testing

Pulmonary function testing is done to determine lung function values such as total lung volume, vital capacity and fractional capacities. This test can provide information about lung volume, airflow, and breathing capacity, and may be useful for general health, exercise, or performance-related assessment.

During the test, you will breathe through a mouthpiece connected to testing equipment while wearing a nose clip. HPL staff will guide you through a series of breathing maneuvers, which may include normal breathing, taking a deep breath in, and breathing out as forcefully and completely as possible. You may be asked to repeat the test several times to ensure accurate and consistent results. The test is non-invasive, brief, and supervised by HPL staff.

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Isometric strength is the maximal force that a muscle group can exert in a fixed position. It can be performed to determine strength and muscular balance. Optimum strength and antagonistic muscle balance reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance. Isometric strength tests include: abdominal, chest press, isometric mid-thigh pull, shoulder press, and upper back, as well as others.

The most commonly performed tests are the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and the hand grip strength via a dynamometer. The IMTP is a strength assessment used to measure maximal force production of the lower body. During the test, you will stand on a platform and pull upward as hard and as fast as possible against a fixed chain connected to a strain gauge.  The force you produce is recorded and analyzed. The best of three trials will be recorded.

HPL staff will set the chain and bar height to match your position. After a brief warm-up and practice trial, you will complete several short maximal pulls, typically lasting 3–5 seconds each, with rest between attempts. The test is brief, controlled, and supervised by HPL staff to ensure safe and consistent testing.

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Flexibility is an important measure of an individual’s ability to move through the range of motion without causing injury. Optimum flexibility can reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance. Flexibility tests include: low back and hamstring, trunk rotation, and shoulder as well as others.

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The Alter-G treadmill allows one to run or walk at a reduced percentage of their body weight. A pressurized unit around the treadmill provides lift to the participant, reducing effective body weight by up to 80%. The Alter-G may be used to rehabilitate from an injury or as a method to reduce impact stress during weight bearing exercise. The Alter-G treadmill availability is limited as HPL classes, research, and service obligations have priority.

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